1 HELP REDUCE ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION Adopt your next animal companion from a shelter or rescue group instead of buying from a breeder or pet store and get your new friend spayed or neutered. 2 REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY Learn how to recognize signs of animal abuse or neglect and report it immediately to your local humane society, animal control, or law enforcement agency. 3 LIVE IN HARMONY WITH YOUR WILD NEIGHBORS Create a haven for wildlife in your backyard by providing appropriate habitat and find ways to control "nuisance" animals humanely. 4 MAKE MORE HUMANE FOOD CHOICES Look for organic, free range, pasture raised and humane food labels, and make an effort to reduce the amount of meat and other animal products in your diet. 5 USE THE POWER OF THE PURSE Send a message to companies by buying cruelty-free products like cosmetics and household cleaners that haven't been tested on animals. 6 LIVE LIGHT ON THE LAND Reduce your consumption of non-renewable energy resources and recycle as much packaging and waste products as possible. 7 BE A COMPASSIONATE TRAVELER Do not accept culture as a justification for cruelty and never buy gifts or souvenirs that involve the cruel death of an animal or are made from endangered species. 8 AVOID ESTABLISHMENTS THAT KEEP WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY Do not visit establishments that feature captive whales or dolphins, roadside zoos or other venues that house captive wild animals for entertainment. 9 BE PREPARED FOR DISASTER When you create a disaster plan for your household be sure to include arrangements for your animal companions. 10 SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL WELFARE Add your name to the global petition to obtain a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare from the United Nations at www.AnimalsMatterUSA.org.
Every year hundreds of bear cubs around the world are left orphaned, starving and close to death when their mothers are shot by hunters, hit by cars, or killed because they are seen as nuisances as people encroach on their habitat. Without help, most of the cubs cannot survive. Many starve to death while others are attacked and injured by predators, or in some cases may be killed or captured and put into captivity for the rest of their lives.
In the United States WSPA is working with our member society Idaho Black Bear Rehab (IBBR) to give these orphaned bear cubs a second chance - in most cases their only chance - to survive and one day return to the wild. WSPA has been funding IBBR's world-renowned work to rescue, rehabilitate, and release bears for the past 10 years. We are also collaborating with groups across the world to prevent human-bear conflicts so that cubs do not have to become orphans in the first place. With your support we can continue working with IBBR and other groups to:
Bring life-saving care to rescued cubs: When orphaned cubs arrive at IBBR they are often weak, wounded, and starving, and they need emergency medical attention as well as months of dedicated care. IBBR has taken in many bears with a variety of problems - from cubs weighing as little as three pounds, to bears with injuries from hunters and traps, to a little cub who had over a gallon of burrs stuck in his fur. They never knows when they are going to get their next call, but you can help ensure that whatever the case they are able to respond quickly and effectively.
Rehabilitate and release bears back into the wild: Once the immediate danger has passed the cubs are slowly prepared for their journeys back to freedom, as they gradually learn the skills they would have acquired in the wild. IBBR's successful rehabilitation methods have helped return nearly 200 rescued bears from across the Western United States to the wild. With your support we can give this chance to even more cubs who would otherwise die or spend their lives in captivity.
Collaborate to help bears around the world: WSPA is funding research and work for bear cub rehabilitation and the prevention of human-bear conflicts across the world. We're partnering with groups in the United States, Africa, Europe, and Asia, and bringing together bear experts and organizations like IBBR to share their expertise with others. We're also providing advice and resources to governments and local wildlife groups on how to prevent the type of human-bear conflicts that result in cubs becoming orphans.
We can make a difference for these bear cubs, but we need your help! Winter is fast approaching and it's urgent now more than ever that IBBR be prepared to take in orphaned cubs who are left cold, alone and close to starving. Make your gift now to ensure that these cubs and other animals get the life saving care they so desperately need.
On behalf of the bears and other animals, thank you.
Read about IBBR's latest rescued bears: IBBR founder and president Sally Maughan recently shared with us some amazing stories about her recent rescued bears, including a young bear with half his jaw shot off by a hunter, a bear from Nevada who nearly starved to death, and IBBR's first spring triplets. Read their stories and see before and after pictures of the cubs >>
